We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lara Lenhoff . Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Lara , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
my mornings are devoted to my dogs. We have breakfast and then go to the park and play fetch and frisbee and stay out as long as we can- definitely longer when the weather is cool and thank goodness we’re heading into fall. We go for walks at the park and have cuddles for a while. After doggy time before I go to work, I work in my studio for a little bit and challenge myself with learning new things. If it’s raining and we can’t go to the park, I’ll sit with a book and a cup of tea and read it cover to cover. I’m
An avid reader.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
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I am a devoted dog mom and a professional artist whose creative journey has evolved alongside my own personal growth. Over the years, my work has taken on new forms and meanings, shaped by the experiences that have shaped me.
My Cityscape Series reflects this evolution. While the pieces capture the rhythm and structure of urban skylines, they also explore the ways we as humans mirror architecture. Like buildings, we carry flaws and cracks in our foundations, yet we can stand tall and grounded once we discover our true purpose. Each work becomes both a visual cityscape and a metaphor for resilience and self-discovery.
Color is an intuitive force in my process. I allow it to emerge naturally, often guided by the music I’m listening to while painting in the studio. This spontaneity brings emotion and energy to the work, connecting the act of creation with the immediacy of the present moment.
In addition to cityscapes, I am also working on a series of monochromatic landscapes inspired by my deep admiration for Ansel Adams. His ability to capture light, texture, and depth in black and white photography continues to fuel my exploration of minimalism, contrast, and stillness.
For me, creating art is never just about producing an image—it is a personal dialogue between self, environment, and spirit. Every canvas becomes a reflection of where I have been, what I am discovering, and where I am headed.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
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As a child, I often felt like an outsider—different, a bit of a weirdo, and always on the edges. I was a loner then, and in many ways, I still am. But what once felt like isolation has become a source of strength. The older I get, the more I value solitude. It’s in the quiet of my home, surrounded by my dogs, where I feel most grounded, resilient, and true to myself.
I am a creature of habit, finding comfort and rhythm in routines that allow me to create and to simply be. Animals have always been my greatest companions—their presence feels more genuine and healing than most human interaction.
Though insecurity shadowed much of my childhood, it no longer defines me. With time, I’ve grown into a place of confidence and peace, no longer needing outside validation. What once felt like weakness is now my strength: an independence that fuels both my art and my life.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
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I have known suffering in ways few would ever guess. I’ve fought battles silently, carrying despair so deep it could not be seen from the outside. To the world, I may have looked steady, but within me there were storms I had to endure and overcome.
No one could fully know the weight I have carried, but I do—and I know the strength it has taken to move through it. My struggles have been private, but my resilience is undeniable. I have faced darkness and still found my way forward.
I am proud of myself for surviving, for rising, and for continuing to create a life with meaning, beauty, and purpose. My suffering has not defined me—it has shaped me, and it has made me strong.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’m not really admiring too many people these days – but I’ll always respect and profoundly admire Tori Amos. As an artist she has overcome many obstacles and hardships but she never gave up. She stayed true to herself throughout her entire career.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I would build a small bungalow in the country and rescue a few more dogs. I’d turn the garage into my studio, have a garden, and be near water so I can walk the dogs by and let them swim.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laralenhoffgallery.com
- Instagram: @artsymonkeyllc
